Customer Reviews

Vows & A Vengeful Groom (Silhouette Desire)

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Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Kimberley Blackstone has been estranged from her family.... and her husband, of 10 days... for ten years after losing the job she wanted above all others to same husband, Ric Perrini, at her father's diamond empire business. She moved on and took a job with rival Hammond's, also renowned in the business, bitter enemies of the Blackstones after a family dispute split the family right down the middle.

Now Kimberley has returned when her father's plane crashes and rumors of no survivors abound. Upon her return, Ric is reminded his love for Kimberley has never died and he will do whatever it takes to win her back into Blackstone employ... and into his bed.

Kimberley and Ric are such a wonderful pair. Both of them have their reasons for their estrangement and their reasons for now presenting a united front, albeit reluctantly. Ric has never stopped loving Kimberley now he has his chance to make up for lost time. She was crushed over his apparent using of her to advance his career and fears the same thing happening again. Both have felt the strain on their relationship caused by the battle of the Hammonds and Blackstones. When they finally reunite after ten years, Kimberley's struggle to overcome her doubts and give in to the desire she's never lost will get to the reader's heart.

Even though he never appears in this book, Howard Blackstone has quite a presence. His bitterness over Kimberley joining forces with the Hammonds and his hatred for the other branch of the family looms on every single page. Not a single character in Vows & a Vengeful Groom has escaped the effects of Howard's obsession. It takes a very good writer to be able to portray such emotion from and about an absentee character. Bronwyn does an impressive job of showing her readers the true depth of what Howard has done over the years.

I've never read Bronwyn Jameson before and this is the first in the Diamonds Down Under miniseries, so what book could be better for trying out a new author? I can easily say I thoroughly enjoyed Vows & a Vengeful Groom. I love Bronwyn's style of writing and her voice that comes through strong and clear. I also love the concept of this series and can't wait to see what is in store in the future for the Blackstones and Hammonds. And what did happen to that necklace the Blackstone Rose? I have my suspicions and can't wait to see if I am right or wrong, or some combination of the two.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, April 2008. All rights reserved.

My biggest issue with this book was just the amount of descriptions of events, feelings, etc. The two characters didn't even start progressing in terms of a relationship until about page 120. I didn't feel the sexual tension was done particularly well either. I read romance novels to see the two characters interacting, but it was definitely delayed here.
Also, since this is the first of a 6 book series, one of the main issues brought up in the last 10 pages is just left hanging. So you will have to read the next book to find out the answer.

This is the first book in the great Diamond Down Under series. Bronwyn has to do the setup work for the following books and I think she does a good job.

Kimberley's father Howard dies in a plane crash. He is the head of the family and Blackstone Diamonds. Kimberley has been estranged from the family for ten years while her ex, Ric, stayed with the company and was groomed by Howard to take over. When Kim returns following her father's death, she is confronted with the past, including Ric, who it seems wants her back.

I'm a little confused as to whether Kim and Ric were ever divorced or just separated, but that's minimal. Overall, I enjoyed this book and the start to a great series.

Enjoyable start to Diamonds Downunder. Kimberly is a mature heroine and Ric is a realistic hero. The former husband and wife come together in a passionate reunion and build a realistic relationship in this book. The author does an excellent job of setting up the background story for the series that takes place in New Zealand and Australia, covers three generations of a feuding family and two rival jewelry firms. A fun continuity series.

The premise for this story had great potential. Unfortunately that potential was never realized. The Ric did not live up to the "Vengeful Groom" suggested in the title. Kim had issues/reasons for her reluctance, but once revealed most seemed to be resolved in a rather cavalier way - "no problem we have options/solutions". The main issue between Ric and Kim, as well as a twist throw in at the end did not really get resolved. I am hoping they will be closed out in the remaining books in this series.